The United States Army Air Corps Type A back pack parachute was the first standardized model accepted by the military. It was designed and tested by the Engineering Division of the Air Service at McCook Field, Ohio. Les Irvin made the first jump with this type of parachute on April 28, 1919. Two months later, he founded the Irving Air Chute Company. The "G" was added to the company name because of a typographical error by the recording stenographer and it was never corrected. By 1939, Irving was the largest single manufacture of parachutes in the world.
Display Status
This object is on display in Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
EQUIPMENT-Parachutes
Physical Description
United States Army Air Service (USAAS) Type A backpack parachute; 28' diameter silk canopy with 30 silk braided shroud lines; natural cotton canvas container pack with cotton web shoulder and leg straps.
Materials
Canopy and lines: silk
Pack and straps: cotton
Clips and rings: steel
Inventory Number
A19310004000
Credit Line
Transferred from the War Department, Air Corps
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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